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College Life

How to Get Good Grades in College

Getting good grades in college isn’t much different than getting good grades in high school, except that you have to take most of the responsibility on yourself. Professors will give you a syllabus, and then it’s up to you to know when tests are scheduled and papers are due. These tips will help you do your best:

Go to class. Going to class is the best way to take care of your grades. Many professors will lower your grade if you miss a certain number of classes, or even if you’re late or leave early. If you’re not a morning person, it’s probably best not to schedule classes for 8 a.m.

Take notes. You should do that not only in class but also when you’re reading the text. Or at least underline or mark the important parts some way.

Be organized. Use a weekly and monthly planner. Put down when your classes meet, when tests are scheduled and when papers are due. You’ll be able to get things done without having to rush.

Study. The general rule is that you should study two to three hours for every hour you’re in class. That’s why 12 hours of classes is considered a full-time load. Set aside study time on your planner so you won’t have to try to cram everything into your head the night before the test.

Find out what your professors are looking for. The syllabus is a good place to start, but don’t stop there. Talk with your professors, especially if you’re having trouble.

Write properly. Make sure you understand what is required — length, formatting (font size, page margins, where to put your name and class, page numbering, etc.). An outline of what you want to write often helps. Write and revise, don’t just hand in the first thing you jot down. Use spell-check, but also proofread because spell-check won’t catch everything.